DZUKOU VALLEY- A PARADISE FOR NATURE ENTHUSIASTS

North-east is known to be blessed with some incredible natural beauty and jawdropping landscapes. And, one of these stunning places is Dzukou Valley. If you haven’t yet decided or considered visiting this place then trust us, you are missing out on a lot!
So, to help you consider the same, we come to you with a brief guide into the valley. Nestled in the borders of Manipur and Nagaland at a height of 2452 meters above sea level, it is largely undiscovered but has seen a decent number of visitors in recent years. The story behind the name is quite fascinating as the name ‘dzukou’ in Viswama dialect of the Angama people means ‘soulless and dull’ and the name came into being when the people of Jakhama were looking to establish a new village somewhere in the valley but soon realized that due to the climate, vegetation wouldn’t be possible and thereafter
admitted to the fact the valley is hopeless and left it as it is. Nevertheless, the beauty of the valley is immeasurable as the blanket of flowers and meadows during the spring and summer makes it a dreamy destitute, while winter on the other hand makes it rather frozen but yet mesmerizing. The valley is also known to be home to unique ‘dzukou lilies’ which bloom during the peak of summer and makes it
a beautiful sight to see. The pink lilies overlaid on the green spread of grasses gives the valley a breathtaking and ethereal look. But if summer is already over and you are planning to visit during the winter, don’t worry, because winter makes the valley a frozen beauty and is equally worth visiting for.

How to reach Dzukou Valley?

It can be reached from both Manipur and Nagaland but the latter is advised because the approach from Manipur is a strenuous one and there is also a lack of amenities. There are two ways to reach Dzukou from Nagaland, either through Jakhama or Viswema. To reach either of these, you have to take a shared-taxi from the Capital city of Kohima. From Kohima, Jakhama is around 20 kms and will take 40 rupees while Viswema is around 25 kms and takes rupees 50 in a shared taxi.
Kohima is only around 2 and a half hours away from Dimapur, which is the city that is accessible through both flight and trains. From Dimapur, you can take both personal and shared taxis with very minimal cost to Kohima. Now, whether to take the Jakhama or the Viswema route depends on what you prefer. If you are too adventurous and want to take a more strenuous path then Jakhama it is but if you like to take it slow then Viswema is more preferred because the climb is gradual but it takes more time.

If you do have the money then you can also take a taxi till the end of the motorable road in Viswema which is going to cost an unnecessary 1500 bucks so it’s better to just walk and enjoy it as it is. To enter the Valley, you will need to follow a trail for 45 minutes and after this, if you see a change in landscape, you should realize that you have entered the valley. On the way, you will come across several shelters to rest your legs before you onward your trek. A trek of another 2-3 hours will have you reach a rest house which will be your abode for the day. The trek from Jakhama is more demanding and a steep one. So, it is advised to take this route while you are on your way down from the valley since the trail is eventually connected to the trail that starts from Viswema.

What does it cost to enter the Valley?

The cost is very minimal and affordable. It is 20 rupees for the locals, 50 rupees for Indians that are not from the area and 100 rupees for foreigners.

Note- You need to pay this fee only once and not per day.

Where to stay?

The rest house provides shelter overlooking the valley which includes both dorms and also private rooms. The dorm costs 50 rupees per night and the private rooms cost 300 rupees and the cost for mattress, pillows and blankets are extra. It is suggested to carry your own inflatable mattresses and pillows because you never know if they are available or not. Breakfast and dinner are also provided on order and require separate costs. And if you are looking for something more exciting and adventurous, then camping is a great idea if you have proper gear with yourself. You can camp near the rest area and
there are several caves throughout the valley that can fit in a decent number of people too but it is better to ask the locals what place is the best to set your camp. Nevertheless, the experience of camping lets you observe and be close with nature which makes it even more enthralling and also memorable.

Things to keep in mind

Always keep a check on the weather because it can change any minute and a sudden pour down can ruin your experience. Remember to carry your raincoats no matter what season it is. It is best advised to not visit during the months from Mid- June to MidSeptember as the monsoon during this time is known to make the trails too muddy and bring in unavoidable rain.

Dzukou Valley has been declared as a plastic free zone so it’s best to avoid carrying any polythene bags and at any cost, do not trash here and there. Be a responsible trekker and remember how sensitive the ecosystem can be. Plucking flowers is a big no-no, we know how tempting it is but plucking one can lead you to pay a huge fine! Always carry a set of warm clothes because the weather tends to get chilly at night. If money allows, you can also hire a local guide to trek you through the valley as they would know the valley better than anyone else out there. But this is not mandatory or
necessary, you can explore the best of the valley on your own and will not leave
disappointed.

Best time to Visit

The best time to visit is a topic of debate because it really depends on what you like. Every season is unique in its own way. While summer lets you pleasantly trek through the valley with the greenest of views and the scent of flowers in the air, winter offers a frozen landscape and a cold that is unbearable yet something that you won’t regret experiencing. Monsoon on the other hand is the best time for the lovers of rain and if you are not scared of leeches and muddy terrain then this is the time for you as the smell of petrichor hits you with freshness and creates a moody aura.

Summer- Mid March to the first week of June and Mid-September to October
Monsoon- Mid June to Mid-September
Winter- December to first week of February
All of this information must be convincing enough to add this valley in your bucket list so what are you waiting for? Plan out a trip to this enchanting valley and experience the best of nature out there.